By Rep. Alan Powell

Well, folks, state government in Georgia keeps getting more interesting by the day. Since last week’s report, the Appropriations Committees of the House and the Senate just completed two weeks of hearings on the annual state budget for fiscal year 2011, for the purpose of balancing the $18.2 billion spending plan proposed by Gov. Perdue.
Continue reading "LETTER: Lawmakers return; budget games have just begun"

Fifty Madison County properties are being advertised in The Madison County Journal for the April foreclosure sale, an increase from 40 in March.
Continue reading "Madison County foreclosures up in April"

The Madison County boys’ track team registered 16 first-place finishes to win a three-team meet Tuesday in Danielsville.


The Red Raiders finished with 162 points, ahead of Washington-Wilkes (61 points) and Taliaferro County (53 points).

Finishing first were Kendrick Butler (triple jump, 300 meter hurdles), ...

County road maintenance remains an issue as bad weather persists.
Continue reading "Road maintenance an issue as wet weather persists"

Like many men, I’ve never been a pageant lover. But I drove over to North Oconee High School Feb. 27 for the “Big Hearts Pageant for Special People of Northeast Georgia.” And it was a worthwhile trip.
Continue reading "OPINION: ESP pageant shows a lot of heart"

A Hull man was arrested recently for family violence against his mother.
Continue reading "Hull man charged with battery"

Madison County High School senior Scott Barnes was honored by the Chamber of Commerce as this year’s STAR student. Barnes chose his physics teacher, Dr. Becky Bundy, as his STAR teacher.
Continue reading "Barnes, Bundy chosen as STAR student, teacher"

Diamond Raiders enter region play riding three-game winning streak

Continue reading "On a roll "

Call it a well-timed three-game winning streak.

Following an atypical 0-3 start, the Madison County High School baseball team has rallied for three consecutive victories as region play begins this week.

Few players on this team had varsity at-bats or innings pitched on their résumés prior to this season, so Red ...

The Madison County boys’ tennis team (5-1, 3-0) made quick work of Habersham Central Tuesday, winning four of five positions in straight sets in a 5-0 victory to remain unbeaten in subregion play.


No. 2 singles player Jeffrey Branson won a three-set match, drawing praise from coach Keith Strickland.
“Jeffrey ...

The Madison County High School girls’ tennis team had to rely on its depth to keep its undefeated season alive.


Missing three starters due to illness and injury, the Lady Raiders beat Habersham Central 3-2 at home Tuesday to move to 6-0 on the season and 3-0 in subregion play.

“Having some depth on the team ...

Good things came in threes for Madison County’s Kyle Carr last Wednesday.


The Madison County boys soccer team (1-4) earned its first victory March 3, beating Franklin County 4-1 behind Carr’s first career hat trick.

Madison County — which dropped its next two games after beating the Lions — led Franklin ...

The Madison County girls’ soccer team scored its first goals of the season and broke a three-game losing skid last Wednesday (March 3) by tying Franklin County, but dropped its next two games.


The Lady Raiders (0-4-1) return to action today (Thursday) at home against Elbert County, followed by home games against Hart County ...

Madison County commissioners may consider opening the transfer station an extra day each week.
Continue reading "BOC to consider five-day week at transfer station"

Dear Editor:

I do not understand how the majority (they say) of Americans are satisfied with their health care and their insurance.
Continue reading "LETTER: How are people satisfied with current health system?"

Battery was reported on Leon Street recently after a man said he was punched in the face and struck in the back of the head by an unknown assailant in his yard.
Continue reading "Assault reported on Leon Street"

You can never get too much of a good thing, and the same is true of “A Good Life,” an original play about life and growing up in Madison County, Georgia.
Continue reading "‘A Good Life’ returns to the stage"

I recently joined fellow members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees for the first half of a two-week round of hearings on the annual state budget for fiscal year 2011.
Continue reading "LETTER: Fuse has been lit; Georgia budget is in a state of chaos"

Not only is Colbert looking at adding an awning to its 118-year-old depot, city leaders are also considering flooring repairs to the historic building that also serves as city hall.
Continue reading "Colbert considers depot upgrades"

Not to be outdone by the charity of its fellow municipalities, the city of Colbert pledged $500 to the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter March 1.
Continue reading "Colbert becomes fourth city to pledge funds to animal shelter"

Madison County residents who think their properties are improperly valued have until April 1 to file a property tax return.
Continue reading "Madison Co. property tax return deadline set for April 1"

Young men dream dreams and wonder how to make them happen. Old men remember memories and wonder why things happened the way they did.
Continue reading "OPINION: My brother was a good man"

There’s been so much shouting about health care, but little real talk about specific problems that desperately need attention.
Continue reading "OPINION: Health care, where is the personal responsibility? "

CARROLLTON -- For about a half Friday night, Madison County appeared to be in Final Four form.


Then came the third quarter.

No. 3 seed Northwest Whitfield outscored Madison County 21-6 during that period and led by as much as 21 points in the fourth quarter in a 61-42 victory in the Class AAAA girls’ basketball ...